“Come in!” he hollered, and I did so.
“Working hard, huh?” I shut the door behind me.
Smirking with his handsome self, he nodded.
Leaning back in his chair and gripping the armrests, he replied, “Yeah. Always working so I can get that money.”
I chuckled softly because I was so nervous as I sat down next to him at the mixer.
“I wanted to talk with you, Rafi.”
“About what? If it’s not serious, can it wait? I’m like right in the middle of something. This song is about to be another hit for me.”
I hesitated, mouth open, and wondering if I should let him finish. I decided not to, because I knew if I gave him time, I would chicken out.
“It’s important. I want to talk about us.”
Sucking his teeth, he frowned and looked at me.
“Seriously, Prissy? I tell you I’m working, and you come in here wanting to talk about us? We can talk about us when I come to bed tonight.”
“No, you don’t come to bed until 3 a.m. I need to talk to you. I should be just as important as this song.”
“You’re so selfish and spoiled sometimes that it makes no damn sense.” He cut the music off, filling me with anger. “But aight, go ahead. What you wanna say about us?”
Frustrated, I blurted, “What I want to say is that I don’t want to be with you anymore.”
“Excuse me?” He laughed angrily. “You don’t wanna be with who?”
“You. I don’t want to be in a relationship with you anymore. I’ve had time to think, and I’ve realized that what we have is not what I want or need.”
I waited as he just stared at me, eyes squinted as he toyed with his chin hairs, thinking.
“Let me get this straight. You don’t wanna be with me, when I’ve been the best nigga ever to you. I take care of you, I upgraded ya fucking lifestyle, I fuck you better than you’ve ever been fucked, and I love you.”
“You cheated on me and gave me an STD.”
“Out of all the years we’ve been together, I cheated on yo’ ass one time, and now you’re about to bounce? You think every fucking relationship is perfect, Priscilla?”
“No, I don’t, but—”
“You better think about what the fuck you’re saying because I’m the best thing that’s ever happened to you.” He sat up, staring deeply into my eyes. “The only thing you gon’ find out there is a broke ass nigga who’s still gon’ cheat on you but multiple times. You sure you wanna leave all this shit we’ve built together over one little ass infidelity?” The frown he wore was one of disgust, almost like he felt I was foolish. And hearing him speak made me feel just that.
“You can’t even promise me that you’re going to be faithful, Rafi. That’s the problem. I can’t do this with you and accept that you may fuck with another woman again.”
“Priscilla, no nigga can promise that shit without lying. I told you I don’t plan to fuck another bitch, but I can’t say for sure it will never happen again.”
“And that’s the problem, Rafi.”
“You want me to lie to yo’ ass?”
“Yes! No! I don’t know! I just don’t want you making me feel like I should be okay with you cheating! How would you like it if I said I didn’t plan on getting dick elsewhere, but I couldn’t promise I wouldn’t?”
“That shit ain’t the same, and you know it. Women can easily be faithful. For niggas, it’s harder, especially in my position. I got women offering to fuck me everywhere I go.
For the past decade that I’ve been rapping, bitches have been waiting in the lobbies of my hotels in every state, ready to get fucked. And since I’ve been with you, I ain’t touched ’em. That’s worth more than a fucking lie to make yo’ ass feel better.”
“So you’re saying that tomorrow, something could happen where you’d be unfaithful? Is that what you’re telling me?” My stomach was churning like butter.
Rafi sighed and looked off for a moment.
Turning back to me, he replied, “Just know that I would never leave you for another woman; that I can promise.”
I hadn’t planned to, but I burst into tears. I loved Rafi, but I was so unhappy with him, and I felt like I didn’t know him. I thought he was such a good man, one that would cut his own hand off before he’d sleep with another bitch. But the nigga sitting before me was someone else. He was no different than his trifling ass peers who repeatedly cheated, humiliated, and even sometimes abused their significant others. The only thing he was better at was hiding it, and in my opinion, that made him worse.
I wanted to feel how I felt years ago, but it just wasn’t there. And to make matters worse, I wanted to be with Will, who I felt had just as many problems as Rafi. The only difference was I felt good with Will, despite his issues. Him having a baby by Nichole wasn’t going to work for me however, so he along with Rafi would have to be things of the past.
When I felt Rafi’s hand on my back, I sucked it up.
Standing, I said, “You can sleep in the guest room. We can discuss the living arrangements tomorrow. I have no problem moving out, but wherever I go, the kids are going too.”
“Prissy! Priscilla!”
I ignored his ass as I left his studio. He could say whatever he wanted, but I refused to stick with him just because of history. Like Blaise said, I at least deserved a man who loved me enough to do his best to make me believe he was faithful.
The next evening… a littler after 4 p.m.…
Grabbing my bag from the car, I threw it over my shoulder and headed inside of the dance studio for practice. Reddi had one last show coming up, and it was huge, so she wanted to change up the songs and routines. She even opted to come practice with us, instead of doing it separately with her choreographer.
I was excited about the show and the fact that I’d booked six more jobs that would pay well, but I was still in a bad mood. I had a headache from crying all of the time and hated that all I thought about was my broken relationship with Rafi and how Will had Nichole pregnant.
Walking into the large dance room, I spoke to everyone. Of course they all replied, excluding Dionne, but I expected that. Little did she know, she was the least of my worries. I had much more important things going on.
“Okay, ladies. Let’s start with some stretches!” Zyla, the choreographer, clapped her hands before dropping down onto the shiny floor.
We scurried about, before getting in position to mirror the stretches she wanted us to do. Why Dionne chose to sit next to me instead of Brittany, this new choreographer, Katie, or Reddi, I didn’t know. I kept feeling her look over at me, but I pretended not to see.
Whispering, Dionne said, “I know you had a thing with Will, but I want you to know that you need to cut all ties with him.”
“I don’t talk to him, Dionne.” I kept my focus on Zyla so I could keep up, while touching my toes.
Dionne was silent, but I felt her eyes burning through my side profile.
“Good.” She finally huffed. Sounding strained because of the current stretch, she added, “Because we’re back together, and he needs to be focused on us and getting his mental health in order.”
I played it cool, nodding as if I didn’t care, but hearing he was back with Dionne bothered me beyond belief. For some stupid reason, I had hope that we’d rekindle, even though I shouldn’t have even wanted to. I didn’t want to, but parts of me did.
“Great. I hope it works out this time.” I stood up since we were done and gave her an insincere smile.
For the rest of the rehearsal, I paid her no mind, no matter how many times she looked at me.
By the time it was over, it was 7 p.m., so I was ready to go home and shower. Just as I hopped into the driver’s seat of my car, I got a text message from Blaise.
Blaise: Wanna go out tonight? They’re paying me forty racks to party, so I want you and Alivia to come. It can help you get your mind off of Rafi.
Me: No I’m not in the mood. I’m sorry.
Dropping my phone into the passenger seat, I let my head fall back and sighed dejectedly. After taking a few moments to relax my nerves, I started up my car and drove home.
When I pulled into the huge roundabout driveway of Rafi’s and my home, I noticed a Lamborghini, a Maserati, and a Bentley parked. Frowning, I climbed out, grabbing my bag and phone on the way, before rushing up to enter the house. I could hear music blasting from Rafi’s studio, so I dropped my duffel and power walked back there.
My aunt Vivian was here with my kids, and this morning Rafi told me he would be in a hotel by this evening. So I was confused as to why his ass was here.
Bursting into the studio, I saw Rafi and some of his homeboys smoking, chatting, and listening to music with about seven girls dressed like hoes.
“What the fuck are you doing!” I shouted.
Rafi looked over his shoulder at me, chuckled, and then turned his ass back around.
“Get out, Priscilla.” He inhaled on the blunt in his hand.
“Are you serious? Bringing bitches into our home?”
“We’re broken up.” He brought one of them into his lap, making her giggle and blush. “We’re just housemates at the moment. And since I pay all the fucking bills, I can bring whomever the fuck I want into this studio.”
Not having a comeback because he was right, I just shook my head at him, confirming mentally that I’d made the right decision on breaking up with his ass yesterday.
“No problem.” I left the studio, and as I tread down the hallway, I texted Blaise to let her know I would be coming out tonight.
Why should I stay in the house sulking while Rafi and Will did their own thing?
After checking with my aunt to make sure she didn’t mind staying over, I hopped into the shower. I brushed, flossed, and rinsed out once, and then put on a cute, short peach dress that complemented my mocha complexion.
Letting my long curly hair down, I slicked my edges, put on some jewelry, and then my YSL stilettos. YSL always had the cutest heels, but they were made for sitting and looking pretty, no standing of any kind.
After spritzing on some perfume, I kissed my kids goodnight, then left out. Blaise suggested I come park my car at her house, and we would all ride together since the club sent her a car. I got there right when she and Alivia were coming out to climb into the truck.
“Wow!” Alivia beamed upon seeing me. She looked cute in a wine-colored dress with the matching Louboutins. Her hair was down, bouncing with every step she took.
“I know, right. Damn.” Blaise giggled.
She wore a sleeveless silver colored dress that was nice and short, and slightly loose in the right areas to hide her growing stomach. The sides of the dress were open down to her hips, showing off a nice amount of side boob. Her silver Givenchy sandal heels matched perfectly. Her hair was wavy with a part down the middle.
“Thank you. You guys look beautiful as well.” I was talking to them but staring at the beautiful mansion they’d walked out of. “So this is where you, Island, and Belly live now?”
“Yep.” Blaise smirked before stepping into the car.
I nodded approvingly as Alivia and I made eye contact, so we laughed before joining Blaise in the back seat. I couldn’t help but to rub her belly.
As we pulled up to the club, I smiled, feeling better because the ride was enjoyable. Per usual, the three of us laughed and talked, but not about niggas, which was refreshing. I was actually able to keep my mind off of the horrible men in my life.
We were escorted inside, and as soon as we were seated, the club manager greeted us, then presented Blaise with two bottles of Ace, then one of each of Grey Goose and Patrón. He and his team complemented the liquor with some juices, a bucket of ice, and a food menu, before leaving.
The coupe is retarded… Louis my carpet… Don't gotta start it… I’m back on that boss shit…
“Lost It” by Rich the Kid was playing, as Alivia and I made ourselves a drink. Blaise just had some of the cranberry juice, swaying to the music.
“I can’t believe they’re paying for you to party.” I laughed, looking at Blaise.
“Me either. But you wanna pay me forty thousand dollars to sit here and look pretty, I’ll do it.”
“Damn, that’s a lot of money.” Alivia shook her head in disbelief.
“I told them it’s ninety if they wanted me to actually host and stuff, but to just be here present, it was only forty. Being on TV has boosted my fee for shit like this.”
“I’m in the wrong business,” I replied, and we all chortled in unison.
We continued having a good time, and by my third drink, I was about to pee on myself. I got up to leave the VIP for the bathroom, so Blaise joined me since Alivia was replying to emails. Not to mention, Blaise always had to pee.
We relieved ourselves and started back toward our section, before some wimpy guy cut off our path.
“Excuse you.” I frowned, trying to walk by, but he blocked us again.
“My boss wants you to come chill with him.” He nodded to his left, so Blaise and I looked to see a group of niggas. “In the Fendi tracksuit,” the dude added.
As soon as he said that, my eyes landed on Sly, standing at the forefront of his homies. I already knew who he was because he was a celebrity stylist, as he liked to call himself, but really, he was a shoe and luxury designer items plug for some of the hottest rappers. He was light skinned, and his hair had a reddish tint, going well with his greenish hazel eyes. He nodded his head up before waving me toward him.
I looked to Blaise, so she said, “I can’t go, bitch. Do you know who my man is?”
We both grinned before laughing, as I remembered that Belly wasn’t all the way right in the head. He would have this place shot up and burned down before we even had one drink with these niggas.
“Well, if he wants to get to know me, your boss can come to my section.”
I grabbed Blaise’s hand and led her back to our area. We hadn’t even told Alivia what happened, before Sly and his partner Dawson were entering our area. Alivia immediately got up and rushed off to the bathroom, just in case his friend wanted her, I guess.
Sly walked right up on me smiling, before he took a seat next to me, allowing me to get a whiff of his cologne. Dawson sat on the other side of Blaise, grinning harder than a child on Christmas morning.
“If you can’t beat my nigga’s ass, just stop right now.” Blaise put her hand up, wiping the smile clean off of Dawson’s face; Sly and I laughed.
Dawson just sat back, throwing in the towel that quickly. I think we all knew he was no match for Belly.
“So you made me come over to you. I like that.” Sly pulled my attention from Blaise and Dawson.
“You do?” I felt a little nervous, and I guess because he was pretty cute.
“Yeah. So since I did as you asked, and you defied me, I think you owe me not only your phone number, but a date.”
I could feel myself beaming at his request, but then suddenly I remembered that Rafi and I hadn’t announced our breakup, so why did he feel comfortable approaching me?
“You do know who Rafi is, right?” I quizzed, asking a broad question so that I could follow it up how I wanted to, depending on his answer.
“I do. But I heard y’all haven’t been getting along too well, so I’m here to help you with that.”
“Help me get along with my children’s father? You shouldn’t listen to rumors.”
He nodded, agreeing.
“True, but the fact that you just called him your children’s father and not your man told me all I needed to know.”
Together, we cheesed before laughing.
“Okay, give me your phone.”
I typed my number in, and he called me right away so I’d have his.
“Aight, cool. I’ll let you get back to hanging with ya homegirls, but I’ll be hitting you up to go out.”
I smiled, waving to him just before he nodded
for Dawson to come on. When Dawson got up, he turned to stare at Blaise a little bit as he strutted off, but she stayed occupied with her phone.
“Bitch, you know you felt him staring.” I nudged her, making a smile creep across her face.
“That’s why you see I’m calling up Terminix to come spray his ass.”
We both fell into a hearty laugh, just as Alivia returned, sitting down.
Tonight was a huge mood booster that I needed.
6
Manny
I heard my phone going off, so I grabbed it to check my messages and shit before turning onto my back. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of Nandy, this one bitch I’d been messing with ever since we met at Belly’s celebration in the club that night. She was beautiful as fuck, and so far, chill, which I liked. The sex was fire too.
Hopping up, I went to take a shower and brush my teeth, before whipping up some breakfast.
Today, I had to pick Jasiel up so I could spend some time with him outside of the house, as Jasmine, Alivia, and every fucking body else wanted. I was doing every muthafuckin’ thing I could to keep Jasmine from taking me back to court and getting more money for child support. I hated this shit.
Once the food was done, I went to wake Nandy up so she could come eat with a nigga.
“You did not have to do this, Manny.” She smiled, eyeing the breakfast.
“It was nothing. I know how to scramble eggs, and I just threw them frozen waffles in the oven.”
She chuckled before closing her eyes to say her prayers. I followed suit.
“Either way, I appreciate it. So, you work today? I see you’re dressed already. Or is that a sign that you want me to leave?”
“Nah.” I laughed. “I have to go… do something. It’s this project Belly is doing, and it’s still in the works, so I can’t talk about it,” I lied.
I didn’t wanna tell Nandy about my son just yet. It was enough that the whole hood was slowly about to find out. I didn’t need the media having that information too.
Niggas stayed in your business and thought they knew every fucking thing based off pictures on the Internet. Granted, some shit was exactly what it looked like, but in a lot of cases, it wasn’t.
Nobody Can Love You Like Them Roughnecks Do 3 Page 18
